Diameter dependence of ferromagnetic spin moment in Au nanocrystals

Abstract

Au nanoparticles exhibit ferromagnetic spin polarization and show diameter dependence in magnetization. The magnetic moment per Au atom in the particle attains its maximum value at a diameter of about 3 nanometer (nm) in the Magnetization-Diameter curve. Because Au metal is a typical diamagnetic material, its ferromagnetic polarization mechanism is thought to be quite different from the ferromagnetism observed in transition metals. The size effect strongly suggests the existence of some spin correlation effect at the nanoscale. The so-called ``Fermi hole effect'' is the most probable one given in the free electron gas system. Ferromagnetism in Au nanoparticles is discussed using this model.

5 pages, 6 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. B